Public Sector Strikes
Thousnads of public sector workers set to strike over government proposals to change their pensions Reuters

On Thursday 30<sup>th June, up to 750,000 members from four unions will cross the picket line, causing mass disruption to many public sector services in England and Wales. Air traffic controllers, coast guards, prison workers and customs and immigration staff have all been balloted and strike action is set to cause mass disruption to British airports and schools. The National Union of Teachers has said they expect 85 percent of schools to be closed.

The strikes will occur over a dispute about public sector pensions and pay cuts put pension changes are at the heart of the strike action. The government wants public sector workers to pay more into their pensions, work longer, and to accept pensions based on a lower "career average" rather than final salary. 300,000 members of PCS are expected to strike in support of the main teachers' strike.

Details you need to know

    • There will be no picket lines outside of Downing Street today but some officials from Number 10 are expected to join thousands of public-sector workers striking today.
    • The main demonstration will sweep past Whitehall, where thousands of protesters are planning to demonstrate against public-sector cuts as well as cuts to their pensions.
    • Both sides believe this will end with an agreement on reforming public sector pensions.
    • It's a very significant day: Unions can send a signal to the negotiators and government officials about their members appetite for more action and the public tolerance of it.
    • There have been two arrests over night as protesters camped out in Trafalgar Square. The offenses are still unknown.

Demonstrations happening near to you

    • Birmingham Demonstration

Assemble 12 noon Victoria Square, Front of BCC Council House, Top of New Street. March starts 1 p.m. Rally to follow march in Victoria Square.

    • Canterbury

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rally at Abbotts Barton Hotel, New Dover Road, Canterbury, CT1 3DU. Speakers include John Walder, Kent NUT divisional secretary.

    • Cardiff Demonstration

11 a.m.: Cathay's Park. Called by PCS and Cardiff against the Cuts.

    • Leeds Demonstration

12 to 1 p.m.: Leeds City Square

    • London Demonstration

Assemble: 11.30 a.m., Lincoln's Inn Field. Rally: Westminster Central Hall, Parliament Sq. (Called by NUT/PCS/UCU)

    • Manchester Demonstration

11 a.m. All Saints, Oxford Rd, M1 7DU. Followed by a Rally at Castlefields Arena at 12.30 p.m.

    • The main march in London will meet at Lincoln's Inn Fields in Holborn at 11, moving off at 11.30. The route will take in Kingsway, Aldwych, the Strand, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Great George Street and Storey's Gate, where there will be a rally at Westminster Central Hall. The TUC says it is expecting "hundreds of thousands" of public-sector workers to attend.

How the strikes will affect you

    • National Union of Teachers (NUT) have said that 85 per cent of schools will be fully or partially close which will affect more than a million pupils.
    • State schools and academies are set to be hit hardest.
    • Work places will feel the effect of parents having to stay home to look after their children.
    • Although most universities' summer terms have come to an end some 350 colleges are expected to face colours and major disruptions.
    • Courts could be disrupted and policing is set to be affected.
    • Driving tests will be cancelled with services to job centres and tax benefit offices set to be disrupted although the government has insisted it has contingency plans to cover these services.

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